Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin Rips Caitlin Clark Olympics Snub On 'Clay And Buck'

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One of the biggest stories in sports is Indiana Fever rookie sensation Caitlin Clark being left off the Team USA roster for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. 

The issue is so big that even those who aren't directly involved in sports are weighing in. For example, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin appeared on the "Clay and Buck" radio show, hosted by OutKick founder Clay Travis and co-host Buck Sexton, and gave his thoughts on the matter. 

"I think it's really crazy [Clark's not on the team]," Youngkin said. "Nobody can deny the fact that she has completely transformed fan interest and enthusiasm for women's basketball." 

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin appeared on the 'Clay and Buck' radio show and ripped the decision to leave Caitlin Clark off the USA Olympics roster.

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin appeared on the 'Clay and Buck' radio show and ripped the decision to leave Caitlin Clark off the USA Olympics roster.

(Getty Images)

Youngkin, who attended Rice University on a basketball scholarship and played four seasons for the Owls, used a recent example to prove his point. He noted Friday's game between the Fever and Washington Mystics, two teams that were a combined 2-19 entering the game, sold out the NBA arena in Washington. 

"The normal home arena for the Mystics seats 4,200 people," Youngkin said. "Caitlin Clark comes to town and they sell out the arena [so] they move [the game] to Capital One Arena, which seats 20,000 people, and they sell it out. Let's be honest: The Wizards weren't selling out." 

Youngkin is right about that. The Wizards are one of the worst teams in the NBA in terms of attendance. Yet, Clark and the Fever helped sell out the Wizards home arena for a WNBA game between two of the worst teams in the league. 

"Caitlin Clark deserves a spot on the team," Youngkin continued. "This isn't a knock against any of the other players… But there have been rookies who have made the Olympic team before… she is transforming women's basketball, and she should have a spot on the team."

LISTEN: 

Is Clark one of the 12 best US women's basketball players in the country right now? That's up for debate. But she's the most popular women's basketball player on the planet and that's not up for debate. 

The WNBA is constantly talking about "growing" women's basketball. Caitlin Clark helps do that, more than any other single player, by a wide margin. That alone should get her a spot on the team. 

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to OutKick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named "Brady" because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.